‘At least five missing’ after firefighting helicopter crashes in Portuguese river and ‘pilot rescued on tourist boat’

A firefighting helicopter with at least six people on board has crashed into a river in northern Portugal.

The helicopter pilot is said to have been rescued by a tourist boat.

But at least five police officers on board the helicopter, which was said to have been underwater in the River Douro, are believed to be still missing after the crash in Cambres, near the town of Lamego.

Local reports say the police are members of an emergency aid and protection unit of the GPR police force called UEPS.

The alarm was raised at around 12.30 this afternoon.

A major search and rescue operation is currently underway in the area.

The head of the GNR, Mafalda Gomes de Almeida, confirmed that the only person rescued so far is the helicopter pilot.